Quit Comparing

Hello 2019! I welcome you with open arms and a click of refresh button on the life of Maisie.

Whilst overseas lately I took a mini detox from countless social media scrolling and the waves of comparison that come with this.

I am one guilty of saving numerous pictures found online, from outfit inspiration to hair and makeup goals; but taking a break from all that jazz has been like an instant start over button. This resulted in me getting on what I think is a firm grip on my personal style of today, as well as a boost of self worth that I had lacked for the fair part of 2018.

Being on a ration diet of clothing from my wardrobe, thanks to the decrease of baggage allowances I chose what made me feel my best, wearing old and new garments mixed with designer and vintage pieces, not giving into what I was influenced to buy online by 10/10 model with a jawline that could cut ice. There also was a evaporation of self doubt with how I looked and no altering a outfit choice due to ( insert bar or gig attending here ) not being aligned with my getup.

My new way of looking at it is, maybe my bar of choice doesn't suit me? Not the other way around.

On my return back to Oz I did honestly bring back a new outlook of confidence on my own style and I think that it will be carried out from now on. Maybe I am maturing or maybe there was something in the Fijian G&T’s.

So it may be a rational way to look at it but I personally think a large fraction of personal style has evaporated the past few years, due to the rise of social media stars influencing our daily dressing routines and purchasing habits as well as ensuring we constantly have the opportunity to compare ourselves to millions of others in a instant.

Don’t get me wrong, I adore the explore option on Instagram enabling me to get my hands on a pair of 80’s drop earrings I have been after for months, or saving a date night makeup look for future inspo as well as effortless French and Italian women giving me photo-shoot ideas to last a entire month! But after my trip overseas, what I am asking myself on a daily basis is, is my personal style even personal anymore if I am sneakily being shaped by variation of my online muses and Instagram algorithms?

Possibly.

Yes inspiration has always been present even before social media made it more accessible, but in the magazine form, music videos or films. ( I still do to this day! ) I love doing this as I can be a bit more picky with what I want to keep or print for my wall/grasp inspiration of. Not so much saving an image with a click of a button. Half a second it takes!

Maybe I will carry out this pickiness with the rest of my life decisions, no settling. Not even for a wrong coffee order, stand your ground!

However, the personal style matter to me hit a nerve recently, whilst writing this article. I asked myself what does personal style even mean to me now?

It is simply a way of self-expression without saying a word.

So one question I would love for you to ask yourself, is do you choose to buy a piece of clothing because it is equipped to your personal style, or because you wish you could double like the picture of the insta style queen/king you saw it on?

Next time you put together a killer outfit, in all means look for inspiration, but maybe even look for that in yourself! Inspire yourself to be the best dam outfit maker out there and hey the benefit? No one can steal that look from you.

Speak soon honeys!

Mais xxx